By Adrian Stewart Co
Ilonggo fighter Jenel “The Demolition Man” Lausa made a tough career move after deciding to call it quits on boxing and shift his full focus on mixed martial arts (MMA).
The Concepcion, Iloilo-native Lausa said he believes focusing entirely on MMA will benefit him in the long run especially after signing a multi-bout deal with BRAVE Combat Federation last February.
“I equally love boxing and MMA. It’s tough, to be honest. But I know this decision will be beneficial career-wise,” the 32-year-old Lausa said. “It’s a matter of determining the real priority.”
“I have to think long-term. Here in MMA, I can have a regular fix of fights that is why, right now, my priority is MMA and to perform to the best of my ability as part of BRAVE CF,” the Ilonggo MMAer added.
Lausa was supposed to revive his professional boxing career last year after signing a promotional deal with Muntinlupa City-based promoter Dante Almario but was unable to box due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Boxing events in the Philippines have been hampered by the pandemic that is why I feel blessed that BRAVE CF opened the door to me. That alone is already an indication that I have to prioritize MMA,” Lausa said.
Lausa, who became a professional boxer seven years ago, will leave the sport with an unblemished 10-0-1 win-loss-draw ring record, including six victories by way of stoppages.
He was also a former holder of interim Philippines Boxing Federation (PBF) super bantamweight title and Global Boxing Organization Asia-Pacific super featherweight crown.
Now that he focuses on MMA, Lausa hopes to bounce back after a forgetful debut in the BRAVE CF 47: ASIAN DOMINATION last March, where he suffered a unanimous decision loss to Kyrgyz prospect Ryskulbek Ibraimov.
“Not winning my debut is hard to swallow, but it came with a realization that I have to reorganize my goals and priorities,” Lausa said. “The loss turned out to be a blessing, not just a lesson.”
“Now, I am living as a true and dedicated Filipino MMA fighter. Here in MMA, you have to think as a mixed martial artist day in and day out. Today, I can say that I see things clear as day,” he added./ASC, WDJ